The age long acclaimed aphrodisiac potentials of Garcinia kola seeds in some parts of Western Nigeria has not been substantiated with scientific evidence. In this study, we have decided to evaluate the effect of aqueous seed extract of G. kola at the doses of 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight on sexual behaviour of male rats. Male rats weighing 215.00 ± 18.58 g were randomized completely into four groups (A-D) of six animals each. Animals in group A received, orally, 0.5 ml of distilled water only while those in groups B, C and D received same volume containing 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight of the seed extract respectively. Frequencies of mount (MF), intromission (IF), genital toilet (GTF) and ejaculation (EF) as well as latencies of mount (ML), intromission (IL) and ejaculation (EL) were evaluated following the pairing of male rats (1:1) with non-oestrous female rats. The parameters were monitored for the first (15-30 min), second (75-90 min) and third (180-195 min) observatory periods. The levels of testosterone, luteinizing (LH) and follicle stimulating hormones (FSH) were also determined. Phytochemical screening of the extract revealed the presence of saponins (2.78%), cardiac glycosides (0.26%), cardenolides and dienolides (0.24%), flavonoids (1.28%) and steroids (1.14%). The 25 and 100 mg/kg body weight increased (P<0.05) the MF whereas the ML was decreased by all the doses of the extract. MF and ML were not altered during the second observatory period whereas the 50 mg/kg body weight increased these parameters during the third observatory period. Other sexual behaviour parameters as well as serum testosterone, FSH and LH were not significantly altered throughout the observatory periods. Overall, the results revealed that G. kola seeds did not have sex enhancing potential as claimed. Therefore, the acclaimed pro sexual effect of Garcinia kola seeds is scientifically untrue. This study has refuted the claim that one of the rationales for consuming the seeds by the aged population of Nigeria is to enhance sexual invigoration in males.

Study investigated the effect of oral administration of gold-silver nanoparticles on rat biochemical parameters and tissue morphology. Wistar rats weighing approximately 180±7 g were randomly assigned into four groups. Animals in the control group received distilled water once daily for 30 days while, those in the treatment groups were administered 10, 50 and 100 mg kgG 1 b.wt. gold-silver nanoparticles. The rats were sacrificed under slight anesthesia, 24 h after the last treatments. Blood and vital organs including the heart, kidney and liver were collected and prepared for biochemical and histopathological determinations. Exposure to Ag/Au nanoparticles altered the rat serum lipid profile; lowering the HDL-C while raising the atherogenic index. Exposure of Ag/Au nanoparticles in rats caused significant alteration to the levels of serum albumin, total protein, bilirubin, urea and creatinine. The activities of alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase in rat serum and tissues were also significantly altered by Ag/Au nanoparticles exposure. The histopathological examination revealed inflammation and cellular degeneration caused by exposure to the Ag/Au nanoparticles. We show evidence that Ag/Au nanoparticles elevated atherogenic index, as well as caused biochemical and morphological alterations, reminiscent of cellular injury.

Background: Food and herbal usage of Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) is attaining improved global relevance and acceptance without recourse to its potential toxic effects. This study investigated the safety profile of acute, sub-acute, subchronic administrations and diuretic potential of aqueous extract of Hibiscus sabdariffa calyces (AEHSC). Method: Acute oral toxicity, sub-acute and sub-chronic toxicity as well as diuretic studies were carried out on HS. A total of 20 Wistar rats were used for each toxicity study and assigned into four groups of five rats. The extract was administered as a single daily dose of 125, 250 and 500 mg/kg body weight (bwt) for 28 and 90 days respectively. To evaluate diuretic activity, 25 rats were divided into five groups of five rats and administered normal saline, hydrochlorothiazide 10 mg/kg, AEHSC 67.5, 125 and 250 mg/kg via the oral route. Urine sample was collected after 18 h, volume measured and concentration of electrolytes analyzed. The hematological and biochemical parameters were evaluated as well as the histopathology of kidney and liver. Results: The acute oral toxicity was found to be >2000 mg/kg. AEHSC did not alter concentration of WBC, MCV, MCHC, lymphocyte as well as total and direct bilirubin in the sub-acute study. However, AEHSC significantly (p < 0.05) increased total protein, albumin, globulin, Na þ , Cl À , HCO 3 and platelet levels, while levels of uric acid, creatinine, K þ , RBC, Hb, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, HDL-C and atherogenic index were decreased significantly (p < 0.05). In the sub-chronic study, AEHSC significantly (p < 0.05) increased the levels of globulin, urea, creatinine, MCH and atherogenic index. The concentrations of uric acid, WBC, platelets and HDL-C were significantly (p < 0.05) decreased. In both the sub-acute and sub-chronic studies, activities of ALP, ALT, AST, GGT and LDH in selected organs were altered without significant increase (P < 0.05) in activity of these enzymes in the serum. The AEHSC at all the doses showed remarkable diuretic activity during 18 h period comparable to hydrochlorothiazide. The extract also showed a non-dose-dependent increase in excretion of electrolytes. Histological analysis of sections of the liver and kidney for both sub-acute and sub-chronic studies showed normal histology comparable to the control group. Conclusion: This study revealed AEHSC has some toxic effects in rats on sub-chronic administration. In addition, the extracts produced a significant diuretic activity. Hence, prolonged oral consumption of the extract may not be recommended.

This study evaluated the fertility-enhancing activity and safety of aqueous extract of Chasmanthera dependens root (AECDR) in male rats. In the fertility study, twenty, sodium arsenite (10 mg/kg) body weight (BW)-treated male rats (171.02 ± 3.36 g), assigned into four groups (I-IV), received 1 ml of distilled water (DW), 25, 50 and 100 mg/kg BW of AECDR for 60 days, whereas the control received DW. After 7 days of pairing with female rats (153.67 ± 2.24 g), spermatogenic, fertility, testicular function indices and enzymatic antioxidant activities were evaluated. The animal groupings in the toxicity study were similar to the fertility study except no administration of sodium arsenite. Sodium arsenite treatment-related decreases (p < .05) in the semen and sperm parameters, testicular function indices, antioxidant activities and female rat fertility indices were reversed/ameliorated by AECDR. AECDR significantly altered the function indices of the liver and kidney and the lipid profile and selectively altered the haematological parameters. There was no treatment-related histoarchitectural changes in the organs. Overall, the aqueous extract of C. dependens roots exhibited pro-spermatogenic, fertility enhancing, antioxidant and androgenic activities in male rats. It also exhibited functional toxicity. Therefore, the chronic use of AECDR may not be completely safe as oral remedy.

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Overall, the aqueous extract of M. paradisiaca stimulated the normal functioning of the testes and exhibited both androgenic and anabolic properties. The results may explain the rationale behind the folkloric beneficial effect of the plant in the management of reproductive dysfunction.

The global acceptance of the therapeutic relevance of plants as cure for several diseases is due to the presence of myriad of bioactive phytoconstituents. The five selected plants used in this study include: Telfairia occidentalis, Ocimum gratissimum, Vernonia amygdalina, Hibiscus sabdariffa and Moringa oleifera traditionally serve as sources of food and nutraceuticals in Nigeria. Therefore, this study was designed to estimate proximate and elemental contents of selected parts of five commonly used African plants collected from African Centre for Herbal Research Institute (ACHRI) farm in University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria. This was carried out using standard procedures of analysis (proximate analysis) as well as Spectrophotometry and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (elemental analysis). The proximate analysis of the plants revealed that leaves of Ocimum gratissimum had the highest (12.65%) moisture content while Calyces of Hibiscus sabdariffa had the lowest (9.57%) moisture. The fat content for seeds of Moringa oleifera was highest (21.00%) with leaves of Vernonia amygdalina having the lowest fat (13.4%). Also, leaves of Ocimum gratissimum had the highest contents of Ash and Crude Protein (28.00% and 0.23% respectively), while the lowest concentrations for Ash and Crude Protein were recorded for leaves of Telfairia occidentalis(14.00% and 0.11% respectively). Meanwhile, leaves of Telfairia occidentalis had the highest crude fibre composition (64.33 %) and the lowest crude fibre was found in seeds of Moringa oleifera (17.18 %). All the plants showed various concentrations (in mg/g) for Na, K, Ca, Cu, Fe, Zn, Cr and Ni. Although Pb was absent in three of the five plants, Cd and Cr were present in trace amount. The presence of appreciable quantities of important nutrients in the plants, beneficial in healthcare,supports their popular medicinal use in the management of diseases. Therefore, the plants can be potential sources of nutrientswith potential application in foods and nutraceuticals.